Single Parents

I thought I have always realized that single parents are pretty amazing people...especially if they manage to keep it all together. However, until lately, I don't think I have realized just how amazing they truly are. Paul has been out of town an awful lot lately due to banquets all over the state, planning meetings, and next week Catalyst. Paul is usually the voice of reason in the house so when he is gone, it is usually nuts. It is up to me to make sure the kids get up, get to school, get their homework done, get to dr. appts., dentist appts, shower, get in bed, discipline, love, and then do it all over again on my own until their dad gets home. I have that luxury...which I am very thankful for. Some days are very long, tiring, and lonely, but Paul always comes home.

So, how on earth do single mom's do it? I just don't know. They need to be given some kind of an award or something. I know being a mom is one of the most rewarding "jobs" on earth, but it can also be one of the most difficult...especially when you are going it alone. So, this is just to say props to all you single parents out there who, day in and day out fulfill the role of "everything" in your child's life. You are truly amazing!

Trying to trust.....and not freak out!

Ok, I knew today would be a busy day, but wasn't expecting it to be quite so expensive. We had four dentist appointment and two eye appointments today, so I knew there would be some cash flow going out, but my my my!!!! This is the short version of my day...

Kaitlyn, Karyssa, Joshua, and I all go to the dentist for cleanings and a check up. Kaitlyn is all good...no cavities! Joshua had three cavities...with the amount of candy he eats, it could have been worse. Karyssa only had one cavity that needed filled (the rest were all in baby teeth that are about to fall out). Then they pulled out her panoramic view xrays. I almost hyperventilated when I saw them. She has a tooth turned around backwards, teeth growing and coming in across her mouth, and teeth growing into other teeth. Needless to say, she has to go to the orthodontist right away. We knew she needed to go but was hoping to get Kaitlyn's taken care of before having to start that with a second child. That won't be the case. Then it was my turn. I was pretty sure I had several cavities. I have been having a lot of pain on the right side of my mouth near the back on the top and bottom. So, I was ready to be hear the words..."you've got some serious cavities back here!" Unfortunately, I didn't get that reaction. Instead, I found out that what is causing me so much pain are two cracked teeth. They are cracked all the way across. He said by the amount of pain they are causing, the prognosis isn't very good. He is not sure if the teeth can be salvaged, but we will try. We will start with temporary crowns to see it "holding them together" will ease the pain, at the tune of $725/each. If that doesn't work, they will try root canals...we didn't even get in to the cost of that. If that fails, they have to be pulled and an implant or bridge made. One is on the top and the other on the bottom...so that would be two separate bridges. Then he said I have a tooth on the other side with a root canal already done on it (actually it has been done twice on this tooth) that has a large abscess under it. Since it has happened twice on that tooth, he is not sure if that tooth can be saved either, and I need to go to a specialist in Jerseyville to find out for sure. I can't wait on the first two teeth because I can't eat or drink anything without shooting pain, and they won't let me wait on the other tooth because they say it is pumping infection throughout my body. So, three teeth with major problems and did I mention, my insurance will only pay out $1000/year? The third tooth will put us sooooo far over that!

All this to say, I am REALLY trying to trust...and not freak out. Not doing so good with that at the moment, but still trying non the less! This is when, as a Christian, you put your money where your mouth is. It is easy to say I trust the Lord and know He will provide my every need when I am not really in "need" of that much. It is much more challenging, however, to trust when there is no outward, physical evidence that I will be able to pay those bills. So, with that in mind, I will CHOOSE to trust. He will provide!